SURETIED

SURETY

Sure"ty, n.; pl. Sureties. Etym: [OE. seurte, OF. seürté, F. sûreté. See Sure, Security.]

1. The state of being sure; certainty; security. Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs. Gen. xv. 13. For the more surety they looked round about. Sir P. Sidney.

2. That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security. [We] our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds; On other surety none. Milton.

3. Security against loss or damage; security for payment, or for the performance of some act. There remains unpaid A hundred thousand more; in surety of the which One part of Aquitaine is bound to us. Shak.

4. (Law)

Definition: One who is bound with and for another who is primarily liable, and who is called the principal; one who engages to answer for another's appearance in court, or for his payment of a debt, or for performance of some act; a bondsman; a bail. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it. Prov. xi. 15.

5. Hence, a substitute; a hostage. Cowper.

6. Evidence; confirmation; warrant. [Obs.] She called the saints to surety, That she would never put it from her finger, Unless she gave it to yourself. Shak.

Sure"ty, v. t.

Definition: To act as surety for. [Obs.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition